Gers add Darch of spirit

Inverness CT 0 Rangers 1

WALTER SMITH watched Jean-Claude Darcheville keep Rangers clear of chasing Celtic and then insisted his fit-again striker can fire Rangers to title glory.

The former Bordeaux frontman netted in the final minute to give the Light Blues a lucky three points at Inverness.

That late strike also ensured their four-point lead over the second- placed Hoops remained in place.

The half-time substitute claimed the seventh goal of his Ibrox career and Gers boss Smith is hoping the French forward is over his injury problems and can go on to play an important role in the SPL run-in.

He said: “When we get to know Jean-Claude better he will improve.

“We have to get him fit and we have to cut back on his physical training.

“Hopefully that will help to keep him injury-free. If we can do that, then Jean-Claude can be an important player for us.”

For long spells in the Highlands, Rangers looked off the pace and if it hadn’t been for Darcheville’s introduction they could have dropped points.

Smith admitted: “We had to fight. The first half was poor but in the second half we picked it up and threatened their goal more.

“We sometimes have to go out and grab the game by the scruff of the neck and we were far better after the break.

“I felt we needed more pressure through the middle of the Inverness defence.

“Jean gave us that because with Stevie Naismith and Chris Burke there wasn’t enough going into the box.

“That was why I felt we needed more attacking options. Jean-Claude’s pace helped and eventually things worked out.”

Smith was relieved to take the points but he has warned his players that they need to raise the bar again after poor performances – but wins – against Inverness and Gretna.

The Ibrox coach said: “It was an indifferent display but we still showed more attacking options.

“We have produced some indifferent play in games but we have still managed to win.

“We definitely need to cut that out if we want to keep winning.”

On Charlie Adam’s “goal” being wrongly chopped off, Smith said: “I was disappointed with the goal that was disallowed because I didn’t think it was very clear-cut.

“We got the winner though and that took some of the frustration away.”

The Rangers boss also claimed to be in the dark about reports that Alan Hutton’s £9million move to Tottenham was back on.

“I haven’t heard anything else from Alan,” said Smith.

“He has said he wants to stay and as far as I am aware, nothing has changed.”

Smith also revealed that Roy Carroll’s move to Derby was still on hold because he hasn’t found a replacement keeper. Carroll missed the trip to Inverness due to a back strain.